Bodytalk

By Stephenie Karony

Friday, May 10, 1996

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Answer: Creatine is an energy-rich metabolic found naturally in the muscle. Its presence is necessary for muscles to perform at optimum levels.

The creatine system is the muscle's most efficient avenue for replenishing ATP (energy). Creatine also enables the body to spare muscle glycogen (sugar). When glycogen is spared, the formation of lactic acid is reduced and muscles recover faster from an exercise.

Creatine is synthesized within the body from the amino acids arginine, mithionine and glycine. It is supplied directly in fish and meat.

Studies done by the manufacturers of creatine supplements show that muscles can store and use more creatine than diet and body synthesis provide, and that the amount of available creatine can be increased by consuming supplemental creatine.

These studies also show creatine supplementation improves strength output for short-duration, high-intensity exercise such as resistance training.

If these studies prove to be true when carried out at independent laboratories, then creatine supplementation does indirectly improve strength, because you'll be able to work out harder and your body will require less recovery time.

A word of warning: the joints don't benefit from creatine supplementation. If the tendons and bones aren't conditioned to handle a greater workload, joint injury is very likely.

A: Basketball is both aerobic and anaerobic. The jumping, sprinting and various quick moves around the court use the anaerobic chemical pathway to supply the energy needs of the player.

On the other hand, the periods of continuous running, up and down the court, rely on the aerobic pathway to meet the energy requirements of the players.

Basketball is a great sport because it emphasizes both strength and endurance. You also get to develop coordination, agility and team spirit.

A: You are. Sports drinks should hydrate, not dehydrate, your body. Beer has diuretic (dehydration) properties. Sports drinks should also provide most of their calories from carbohydrates. Beer provides relatively few calories from carbohydrates. Beer is also a central nervous system depressant and can impair, among other things, coordination and balance.

Beer is a popular postevent drink because of its relaxing effect. Remember, beer is an alcoholic beverage and should be used in moderation, if at all.

The best sports drink available is also the cheapest - water.